COURSE INFORMATION
Course Title: ETHICS IN THE AGE OF GLOBALIZATION AND MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS
Code Course Type Regular Semester Theory Practice Lab Credits ECTS
PIR 404 B 2 3 0 0 3 7.5
Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) NA
Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: Avdi Smajljaj
Second Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours: NA
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours: NA
Language: English
Compulsory/Elective: Elective
Classroom and Meeting Time:
Course Description: This master level course explores the issues and complexities along two fronts: the emergence of global ethical questions and the globalization of ethics itself. In tracing the long arc of the modernity to its sources, we will identify a link between the quest for moral certainty and the increasing exchange between peoples and nations. Our reading of contemporary moral philosophy through the retrospective, critical lens of globalization provides an opportunity to consider anew the nature of the global ethical issues. At the end students will be able to understand the main ethical problems in a globalizing world and the development of global ethics.
Course Objectives: The course covers the contemporary discourse on the issues of ethics in the age of globalization, as MNCs are being considered as the main drivers of globalization process, orienting globalization towards their interests. How this impacts ethical principles and considerations at the global level, is the main concern of this course. It starts with theories of globalization and faces of globalization during history. Then it moves to theories and principles of global justice, how far can we talk of global justice in globe made up of states. While the main focus will be on the role of MNCs in globalization as challenge or opportunity in creating a more responsible and accountable world. The course will introduce students to debate on globalization, MNCs, and their impact on issues of global justice and ethical principles. In addition, it will equip students with theoretical approaches to deal with global ethical consideration and globalization from theoretical approaches perspectives. Moreover, it will prepare students to see globalization process from the critical thinking perspective, being able to reflect global developments at local level of where they live.
COURSE OUTLINE
Week Topics
1 Theories of globalization
2 Globalization trends throughout history
3 Theories and principles of global justice
4 Global ethics
5 Agents of global justice
6 Globalization alla capitalism and the issue of global justice
7 MNCs and globalization
8 Midterm
9 Global ethics for global society
10 Global justice as human development
11 Globalization and environment
12 Globalization and world citizenship
13 Cosmopolitanism
14 Concluding the course
Prerequisite(s):
Textbook: Singer, P. 2016. One World Now: The Ethics of Globalization. Yale University Press Steger, M., Battersby, P., Siracusa, J. 2014. Sage Handbook of Globalization. Sage Wettstein, F. 2009. Multinational Corporations and Global Justice: Human Rights Obligations of Quasi-Governmental Institution. Stanford Business Books
Other References:
Laboratory Work:
Computer Usage:
Others: No
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
1 Synthesize theoretical approaches of globalization and faces of globalization
2 Identify actors in a global governance, especially the role of MNCs
3 Comprehend principles of global justice and ethics
4 Build critical thinking towards globalization and global ethics
5 Conduct a scientific research on issues of globalization and global ethics
COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES
(Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)
No Program Competencies Cont.
Professional Master in Political Science and International Relations Program
COURSE EVALUATION METHOD
Method Quantity Percentage
Midterm Exam(s)
1
25
Presentation
1
10
Project
1
20
Final Exam
1
35
Attendance
10
Total Percent: 100%
ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)
Activities Quantity Duration(Hours) Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours) 16 3 48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice) 14 1 14
Mid-terms 1 20 20
Assignments 2 25 50
Final examination 1 35 35
Other 1 20.5 20.5
Total Work Load:
187.5
Total Work Load/25(h):
7.5
ECTS Credit of the Course:
7.5